NORMAN, Okla. University of Oklahoma men’s golf coach Jim Ragan announced the hiring of Donnie Darr as an assistant coach today.

“I’m excited to have Donnie join our golf team as the assistant coach,” Ragan said. “He will impact our program immediately in a very positive way.”

Darr, 31, comes to Oklahoma from Kent State University where he spent three seasons on the coaching staff. He served as associate head coach for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.

“I am really excited to join the Oklahoma staff,” Darr said. “OU has a great athletic department and I see this move as a tremendous opportunity.”

Darr helped coach the Kent State women’s team to a fifth consecutive Mid-American Conference championship in 2003 and recruited the 2003 MAC Men’s Freshman of the Year Ryan Yip.

“Donnie has played for and worked under Herb Page, who is one of the best coaches in college golf,” Ragan said. “He has a lot of talent and experience in collegiate golf, both as a player and a coach.”

The Kent State alum was a third-team All-American in 1995. He was a four-time All-Mid-American Conference first team selection and was the MAC Sportsman of the Year in 1996.

Darr also received the Merle Wagoner Award in 1996, which is given to the outstanding senior male athlete at Kent State. He was elected to represent the United States in the USA/Japan Matches in 1996 and he holds the Kent State record for lowest single-round score with a 65, which he set in 1994 in the third round of the NCAA Championships at Stonebridge Country Club in McKinney, Texas.

Darr joined the Kent State staff after two years as the Head Teaching and Custom-Fitting Professional at Windmill Lakes Golf Club in Ravenna, Ohio.

“Donnie and I have very similar coaching philosophies. I feel they compliment each other and enhance the experience of every player on our team,” Ragan said.

Darr held an assitant golf pro title at Windmill Lakes from Febraury 1998 to February 1999. He also was an assistant golf pro at Lakewood Country Club in Westlake, Ohio from March to November 1999.

Darr spent 1997 competing in mini-tour events and was based out of Orlando, Fla.

A native of Coshocton, Ohio, Darr graduated from Kent State in 1996. Darr and his wife Tina, also a Kent State graduate, and our proud parents of six-month-old triplets Allie, Anna and Leo.

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